SECURE AND EFFICIENT PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method for carrying out commercial transactions includes establishing a transaction processing system on an electronic communications network, and establishing an account within the transaction processing system for a corresponding account holder. One or more descriptions of acceptable future commercial transactions related to the account are obtained from the account holder. Commercial transactions carried out via the transaction processing system are administered, and it is verified that administered commercial transactions related to the account meet one or more of the descriptions obtained.

07-26-2012

Chandra Balasubramanian, Cleveland, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090265460

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING USER IDENTITY AND/OR ACTIVITY ACROSS MULTIPLE WEBSITES - A method of tracking a user and the user's activities on a telecommunications network. The method includes receiving a notification from a first web server that the user has accessed a first webpage on a first website, wherein the notification is received via a user tracking server operated by a tracking coordinator, setting a session cookie including a user tracking ID on the user's computer and/or web browser to track the user's activities on the network and storing tracking data for the user in a database associated with the user tracking server, receiving an indication from a second web server that the user has accessed a second webpage on a second website, wherein the second webpage comprises a confirmation webpage that includes transaction data for the user, retrieving the user tracking ID from the session cookie and associating the user tracking ID retrieved from the cookie with the transaction data obtained from the second webpage, and reporting the user tracking data to the first web server.

10-22-2009

20090299878

UNIVERSAL PAYMENTS DASHBOARD - A universal payments dashboard system provides eCommerce merchants with an easy to integrate web page (inline frame) that displays all alternative payment button options that consumers can use on the merchant website(s) to pay for the purchase. Such merchants can display the dashboard on their shopping cart page(s) and on their checkout page(s) at the point where users select the payment option. The dashboard communicates with a payment dashboard provider to complete the payment for the transaction, including any consumer interaction such as entering checking account information, personal details, etc. Upon completing the payment for the order, the dashboard provides the merchant with the completed order information (e.g., a prepaid order) along with all the payment information. The dashboard supports all alternative payment options, payment transaction notifications to enable single cash register functionality and work in conjunction with alternative payment initiatives.

12-03-2009

20110167002

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The first party accepts payment via a plurality of different payment options selectable by the second party, and the plurality of different payment options are associated with a plurality of different authentication protocols prescribed therefor. The method includes: receiving payment information over a communications network at a server operatively connected to the communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate the plurality of different authentication protocols; determining from the payment information received at the server which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting, in accordance with the determination, a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction in accordance with the selected authentication protocol, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol; and generating a one-time number to be sent back to the first party.

07-07-2011

20120036064

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT APPLICATION, REGISTRATION AND BOARDING PLATFORM - A system for processing e-commerce transactions. The system includes one or more processors programmed to receive a selection of one or more alternative payment brands from a merchant. Each of said alternative payment brands including a different merchant application process. Further, the processors are programmed to receive merchant information from the merchant necessary to apply to the selected alternative payment brands and apply to each of the selected alternative payment brands using the merchant information in accordance with the merchant application process for the selected alternative payment brand.

02-09-2012

20120323788

DYNAMIC PIN PAD FOR CREDIT/DEBIT/OTHER ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS - A method for authenticating debit card transactions engaged in by a cardholder on a communications network includes: establishing a network connection with a client being used by the cardholder to engage in a transaction; providing to the client a web page containing a keypad (

12-20-2012

20130125213

CENTRALIZED IDENTITY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.

05-16-2013

20140019362

CENTRALIZED IDENTITY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.

01-16-2014

20140020075

CENTRALIZED IDENTITY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.

01-16-2014

20140020076

CENTRALIZED IDENTITY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.

01-16-2014

20140081863

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The method includes: receiving payment information at a server operatively connected to a communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate a plurality of different authentication protocols; determining which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

03-20-2014

20140089194

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The method includes: receiving payment information at a server operatively connected to a communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate a plurality of different authentication protocols; determining which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

03-27-2014

20140108250

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The method includes: receiving payment information at a server operatively connected to a communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate a plurality of different authentication protocols; determining which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

Chandra Balasubramanian, Lakewood, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20110099086

METHOD AND/OR SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING PAYMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES AND/OR LEGACY ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEMS TO MOBILE COMMERCE APPLICATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGING - A text message order processing system includes: means for receiving text messages from consumers purchasing products from one or more merchants, each of the text messages being addressed to an address selected by the consumer and including an identification of the product being purchased and an identification of a device from which the text message was sent; means for parsing each text messages to extract the identification of the product and the identification of the device from the text massage; means for selecting based upon each received text message a payment instrument to be used to pay for the purchase; means for establishing payment information related to the selected payment instrument and delivery information indicating where the purchased product is to be delivered; means for generating for each received text message an order including the established payment information, delivery information and identification of the product being purchased; and, means for submitting the generated order to an order management system of the merchant.

04-28-2011

20120246031

METHOD AND/OR SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING PAYMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES AND/OR LEGACY ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEMS TO MOBILE COMMERCE APPLICATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGING - A text message order processing system includes: means for receiving text messages from consumers purchasing products, each of the text messages being addressed to an address selected by the consumer and including an identification of the product being purchased and an identification of a device from which the text message was sent; means for parsing each text message to extract the identification of the product and the identification of the device; means for selecting a payment instrument to be used to pay for the purchase; means for establishing payment information related to the selected payment instrument and delivery information indicating where the purchased product is to be delivered; means for generating for each received text message an order including the established payment information, delivery information and identification of the product being purchased; and, means for submitting the generated order to an order management system of the merchant.

09-27-2012

Patent applications by Chandra Balasubramanian, Lakewood, OH US

Chandra A. Balasubramanian, Mentor-On-The-Lake, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100023453

DYNAMIC NUMBER AUTHENTICATION FOR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS - A method and apparatus for conducting a commercial transaction over the Internet or other network connection are provided. The method includes the use of random numbers which are unique for each user session. These random numbers are pre-loaded onto a handheld, portable device, token, at the time of the device's manufacture or programming. These numbers are generated by external systems. The external systems then deliver the number sets to the token for storage in the token's internal memory and also to another random number database that is accessible by an authentication system. The random numbers are dispensed by the token to a user by pressing a button on the token or otherwise signaling the token. A simple polynomial equation may be employed in order to increase the number of codes. A dispensed number is cross referenced, by the authentication system, to the random number database that was created when the token was programmed. In this way the user or transaction can be authenticated. In its preferred configuration, it is intended that once the total number of random combinations, including the original random numbers and numbers generated by polynomial transformations, have been exhausted, the device becomes inoperable.

01-28-2010

Chandra S. Balasubramanian, University Hts., OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20150012371

ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT IMPLEMENTATION FOR ELECTRONIC RETAILERS - A system and method process a transaction between a merchant and a consumer at a point of sale (POS). Transaction information for the transaction is received from the consumer at the POS. The transaction information identifies an alternative payment option of an alternative payment provider to use for the transaction. A universal merchant platform (UMP) is requested to approve the transaction with the alternative payment provider of the identified alternative payment option. The request includes the received transaction information and is provided to the UMP according to a unified payment implementation. In response to approval of the transaction, an order identifier is received from the UMP. The order identifier uniquely identifies the transaction. The UMP is requested to authorize and/or capture funds for the transaction using a payment implementation specific to the alternative payment provider of the identified alternative payment option.

01-08-2015

Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Mentor-On-The-Lake, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20100030625

AFFINITY SHOPPING PORTAL - A method of administering a commercial transaction carried out over a communications network (

02-04-2010

20100325694

CENTRALIZED IDENTITY AUTHENTICATION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION NETWORKS - A method of centralized identity authentication for use in connection with a communications network includes registering users of the communications network such that each registered user's identity is uniquely defined and determinable, and registering a plurality of vendors having a presence on the communications network. The registered vendors selectively transact with registered users, wherein the transactions include: (i) the registered vendor selling goods and/or services to the registered user; (ii) the registered vendor granting the registered user access to personal records maintained by the registered vendor; and/or (iii) the registered vendor communicating to the registered user personal information maintained by the registered vendor. The method also includes each user's identity being authenticated over the communications network prior to completion of transactions between registered vendors and registered users.

12-23-2010

20110071847

SECURE ON-LINE AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PRESCRIPTION DRUG FULFILLMENT - A method of processing drug prescriptions via a communications network includes registering doctors, pharmacies and patients as participants such that each registered participant's identity is uniquely defined and determinable. Registered doctors from which prescriptions are received via the communications network have their identities authenticated. Each of the received prescriptions indicates a respective registered patient's identity for whom the prescription is intended. Registered patients from which orders are received via the communications network also have their identities authenticated. Each of the received orders indicates the prescription being ordered. The method also includes forwarding the orders to registered pharmacies via the communications network.

03-24-2011

20120130747

SECURE ON-LINE AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING PRESCRIPTION DRUG FULFILLMENT - A method of processing drug prescriptions via a communications network includes registering doctors, pharmacies and patients as participants such that each registered participant's identity is uniquely defined and determinable. Registered doctors from which prescriptions are received via the communications network have their identities authenticated. Each of the received prescriptions indicates a respective registered patient's identity for whom the prescription is intended. Registered patients from which orders are received via the communications network also have their identities authenticated. Each of the received orders indicates the prescription being ordered. The method also includes forwarding the orders to registered pharmacies via the communications network.

Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Lakewood, OH US

SECURE AND EFFICIENT PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method is provided for carrying out commercial transactions. The method includes the steps of: establishing a transaction processing system on an electronic communications network; establishing an account within the transaction processing system for a corresponding account holder; obtaining from the account holder a session description of acceptable future commercial transactions related to the account; administering commercial transactions carried out via the transaction processing system; and, verifying that administered commercial transactions related to the account meet one or more of the session description.

05-07-2009

20100169215

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method is provided for supporting processing of a transaction conducted between a first party and a second party. The first party accepts payment via a plurality of different payment options selectable by the second party, and the plurality of different payment options are associated with a plurality of different authentication protocols prescribed therefor. The method includes: receiving payment information over a communications network at a server operatively connected to the communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate the plurality of different authentication protocols; determining from the payment information received at the server which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting, in accordance with the determination, a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; and, obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction in accordance with the selected authentication protocol, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

07-01-2010

20120197760

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method is provided for supporting processing of a transaction conducted between two parties. The method includes: receiving payment information over a communications network at a server operatively connected to the network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the network in different manners to accommodate the different authentication protocols; determining from the payment information received which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; and, obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction in accordance with the selected authentication protocol, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the network in accordance with the mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

08-02-2012

Patent applications by Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Lakewood, OH US

Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Cleveland, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090313147

ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT IMPLEMENTATION FOR ELECTRONIC RETAILERS - A method of processing a transaction between a merchant and a buyer over a communication network is provided. The transaction is processed using one of a plurality of alternative payment options and each of the alternative payment options are provided by one of a plurality of alternative payment providers. Each of the alternative payment providers uses a different alternative payment implementation. The method includes: obtaining transaction information from the merchant; returning a redirection URL and an order identifier to the merchant; obtaining a transaction message from the merchant, where the transaction message specifies the type of operation; performing the operation type specified in the transaction message with the appropriate alternative payment provider; and returning a processing message to the merchant containing the results from performing the operation type specified in the transaction message.

12-17-2009

20130211934

ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT IMPLEMENTATION FOR ELECTRONIC RETAILERS - A system and method process a transaction between a merchant and a consumer at a point of sale (POS). Transaction information for the transaction is received from the consumer at the POS. The transaction information identifies an alternative payment option of an alternative payment provider to use for the transaction. A universal merchant platform (UMP) is requested to approve the transaction with the alternative payment provider of the identified alternative payment option. The request includes the received transaction information and is provided to the UMP according to a unified payment implementation. In response to approval of the transaction, an order identifier is received from the UMP. The order identifier uniquely identifies the transaction. The UMP is requested to authorize and/or capture funds for the transaction using a payment implementation specific to the alternative payment provider of the identified alternative payment option.

08-15-2013

20140012758

SECURE AND EFFICIENT PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method is provided for carrying out commercial transactions. The method includes the steps of: establishing a transaction processing system on an electronic communications network; establishing an account within the transaction processing system for a corresponding account holder; obtaining from the account holder a session description of acceptable future commercial transactions related to the account; administering commercial transactions carried out via the transaction processing system; and, verifying that administered commercial transactions related to the account meet one or more of the session description.

01-09-2014

20140012759

SECURE AND EFFICIENT PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method is provided for carrying out commercial transactions. The method includes the steps of: establishing a transaction processing system on an electronic communications network; establishing an account within the transaction processing system for a corresponding account holder; obtaining from the account holder a session description of acceptable future commercial transactions related to the account; administering commercial transactions carried out via the transaction processing system; and, verifying that administered commercial transactions related to the account meet one or more of the session description.

01-09-2014

20140012760

SECURE AND EFFICIENT PAYMENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method is provided for carrying out commercial transactions. The method includes the steps of: establishing a transaction processing system on an electronic communications network; establishing an account within the transaction processing system for a corresponding account holder; obtaining from the account holder a session description of acceptable future commercial transactions related to the account; administering commercial transactions carried out via the transaction processing system; and, verifying that administered commercial transactions related to the account meet one or more of the session description.

01-09-2014

Patent applications by Chandra S. Balasubramanian, Cleveland, OH US

Chandra S. Balasubramanian, University Heights, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20140156532

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT PLATFORM FOR PAYMENT AUTHENTICATION - A method of processing of a transaction between a first and second party is provided. The method includes: receiving payment information at a server operatively connected to a communications network, the payment information identifying a particular payment option used by the second party for the transaction, and the server being equipped to format and route messages over the communications network in different manners to accommodate a plurality of different authentication protocols; determining which of the different authentication protocols is prescribed for the type of payment option identified in the payment information; selecting a particular authentication protocol from the plurality of different authentication protocols supported by the server; obtaining an authentication determination for the transaction, including formatting messages and routing the formatted messages over the communications network in accordance with one or more mandates of the selected authentication protocol.

06-05-2014

20140207624

FRAMED IMPLEMENTATION FOR PAYMENT WIDGETS - A system and method process an electronic commerce transaction between a consumer and a merchant over a communications network. A checkout webpage of a virtual shopping cart of the merchant is displayed by a consumer device and an initialization routine of the checkout webpage is performed by the consumer device. The initialization routine segments the checkout webpage to display a widget webpage of a service provider within the checkout webpage. Content of the widget webpage is loaded and displayed independent of content of the checkout webpage. A bootstrap routine of the widget webpage is performed by the consumer device to add a payment widget to the widget webpage and to display the payment widget with the checkout webpage. Further, the transaction is processed by the consumer device to completion using the payment widget.

METHOD AND/OR SYSTEM FOR EXTENDING PAYMENT SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES AND/OR LEGACY ORDER PROCESSING SYSTEMS TO MOBILE COMMERCE APPLICATIONS VIA TEXT MESSAGING - A text message order processing system includes: means for receiving text messages from consumers purchasing products from one or more merchants, each of the text messages being addressed to an address selected by the consumer and including an identification of the product being purchased and an identification of a device from which the text message was sent; means for parsing each text messages to extract the identification of the product and the identification of the device from the text massage; means for selecting based upon each received text message a payment instrument to be used to pay for the purchase; means for establishing payment information related to the selected payment instrument and delivery information indicating where the purchased product is to be delivered; means for generating for each received text message an order including the established payment information, delivery information and identification of the product being purchased; and, means for submitting the generated order to an order management system of the merchant.

10-30-2014

20140324682

UNIVERSAL MERCHANT APPLICATION, REGISTRATION AND BOARDING PLATFORM - A system for processing e-commerce transactions. The system includes one or more processors programmed to receive a selection of one or more alternative payment brands from a merchant. Each of said alternative payment brands including a different merchant application process. Further, the processors are programmed to receive merchant information from the merchant necessary to apply to the selected alternative payment brands and apply to each of the selected alternative payment brands using the merchant information in accordance with the merchant application process for the selected alternative payment brand.

10-30-2014

Sidharth Balasubramanian, Columbus, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20120169397

Mixed Signal Integrator Incorporating Extended Integration Duration - A mixed-signal integrator, having an analog input and a digital output, is adapted to perform an integration operation partially in the analog domain and partially in the digital domain while eliminating the limitations of a conventional analog integrator. The integrator also digitizes a signal of interest without the use of a conventional sampling operation followed by a conventional analog-to-digital converter. The analog integrator portion generates an analog integration signal limited between low and high rail voltages defined by two comparators with corresponding threshold voltages. When either rail voltage is reached, the polarity of the input signal is reversed to prevent the integration result from exceeding that rail. Each such event is also tracked in digital logic, which provides a count whenever two consecutive such events correspond to the two different rails. At the end of the integration duration this count serves as the digital representation of the integration result.

07-05-2012

Sivaram Balasubramanian, Solon, OH US

Patent application number

Description

Published

20090172230

DISTRIBUTED REAL-TIME OPERATING SYSTEM - A distributed control system and methods of operating such a control system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the distributed control system is operated in a manner in which interrupts are at least temporarily inhibited from being processed to avoid excessive delays in the processing of non-interrupt tasks. In another embodiment, the distributed control system is operated in a manner in which tasks are queued based upon relative timing constraints that they have been assigned. In a further embodiment, application programs that are executed on the distributed control system are operated in accordance with high-level and/or low-level requirements allocated to resources of the distributed control system.

07-02-2009

20100031340

NETWORK SECURITY MODULE FOR ETHERNET-RECEIVING INDUSTRIAL CONTROL DEVICES - A high-speed security device for network connected industrial controls provides hybrid processing in tandem hardware and software security components. The software security component establishes state-less data identifying each packet that requires high-speed processing and loads a data table in the hardware component. The hardware component may then allow packets matching data of the data table to bypass the software component while passing other non-matching packets to the software component for more sophisticated state analysis.

02-04-2010

20100290339

Fault-Tolerant Ethernet Network - Fault-tolerant Ethernet is provided through the use of special interfaces providing duplicate ports that may be alternatively enabled with the same network address. A switching between the ports, corrects for single faults in a two-way redundant system without time-consuming reconfiguration of other end devices or the need for complex middleware in the end devices.

11-18-2010

20100333102

Distributed Real-Time Operating System - A distributed control system and methods of operating such a control system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the distributed control system is operated in a manner in which interrupts are at least temporarily inhibited from being processed to avoid excessive delays in the processing of non-interrupt tasks. In another embodiment, the distributed control system is operated in a manner in which tasks are queued based upon relative timing constraints that they have been assigned. In a further embodiment, application programs that are executed on the distributed control system are operated in accordance with high-level and/or low-level requirements allocated to resources of the distributed control system.

12-30-2010

20120120966

Method and Apparatus for Allocating and Prioritizing Data Transmission - The subject matter disclosed herein describes a method to allocate and prioritize data communications on an industrial control network. A transmission schedule including multiple priority windows and multiple queues is established. Each queue is assigned to at least one priority window, and each priority window may have multiple queues assigned thereto. A control device communicating on the control network transmits data packets according to the transmission schedule. Within each priority window, data packets corresponding to one of the queues assigned to the priority window may be transmitted. The data packets may be transmitted at any point during the priority window, but will only be transmitted if no data packet from a higher queue is waiting to be transmitted.

05-17-2012

20120307679

Method and Apparatus for Full Duplex Serial Shifting Mode and Switch Mode Data Transmission - An industrial network with bidirectional communication for real time control includes nodes selectively operable in either a switch mode or a serial shifting mode. Nodes operating in the switch mode are capable of initiating data frames for transmission on the network and receiving data frames from the network. Nodes operating in either the switch mode or the serial shifting mode are capable of extracting and/or inserting data into a data frame as it is transmitted through that node. An initialization procedure determines end nodes and intermediate nodes within the network. The end nodes are configured to initially operate in the switch mode and the intermediate nodes are configured to initially operate in the serial shifting mode. The intermediate nodes are additionally operable to selectively toggle between operation in switch mode and serial shift mode and may operate in both modes during a single I/O scan cycle.

12-06-2012

20130088952

Multiple-Fault-Tolerant Ethernet Network for Industrial Control - Fault-tolerant Ethernet is provided through the use of special interfaces providing end-devices with duplicate ports that may be alternatively enabled with the same network address in the event of a fault detected by loss of the message from a beacon device. Unidirectional network errors in the direction from the end-device to the beacon devices are detected through a path check message from the end-device to the beacon device. Multiple faults may be accommodated without network interruption by adding top-level switches without increasing the number of ports on the end-devices by cross connecting a lowest level of switch.

04-11-2013

20130121158

Redundant Gateway System for Device Level Ring Networks - Multiple gateway devices communicating between a device level ring (DLR) network and a spanning tree (ST) network may be provided a gateway protocol that cooperatively ensures that only a single gateway is active at a given time. This cooperation may be effected by the transmission of advertise messages by gateways, the advertise messages holding precedence values so that only a single gateway having a highest precedence value is active at a given time. Loss of the advertise messages may trigger a gateway held in a backup state to assume an active gateway role.

05-16-2013

20140033295

NETWORK SECURITY MODULE FOR ETHERNET-RECEIVING INDUSTRIAL CONTROL DEVICES - A high-speed security device for network connected industrial controls provides hybrid processing in tandem hardware and software security components. The software security component establishes state-less data identifying each packet that requires high-speed processing and loads a data table in the hardware component. The hardware component may then allow packets matching data of the data table to bypass the software component while passing other non-matching packets to the software component for more sophisticated state analysis.

01-30-2014

20140105004

Hardware-Based Granular Traffic Storm Protection - Aspects of the present invention provide a device, method and system which utilize hardware-based granular evaluation of industrial control protocol packets to withstand traffic storms. In an embodiment, packet evaluation circuitry coupled to a port may be adapted to evaluate one or more protocol fields contained in each inbound packet before switching circuitry can send the inbound packet to the proper destination. The inbound packet may be sent by the switching circuitry if it is a particular message, or may be selectively inhibited from being sent by the switching circuitry if the inbound packet does not contain the particular message for being sent and if the total number of bytes of the inbound packet type exceeds a threshold for the outbound port during a given period of time. As such, critical industrial applications may continue to operate in the presence of a traffic storm.

04-17-2014

20140211657

NETWORK CONFIGURABLE INDUSTRIAL DEVICE - A device is configured to be operable in a plurality of network environments. A number of different configurations are available to be set on the device, where a first configuration enables operation on a first network, and a second configuration enables operation on a second, disparate, network. A plurality of external ports in conjunction with a multiplexer switch, network switch, internal CPU, external CPU, routing links, etc., can be combined to facilitate multiple configurations for the device. The device is suitable for incorporation into a human machine interface, for application in an industrial processing operation. Receive port information can be incorporated into a data frame to facilitate identification of an external port associated with the reception of the data frame. Applicable networks include linear topology, ring topology, star topology, Ethernet, ROCKWELL NEO, EtherNet/IP, one or more LANs, etc. Configuration can be via a USB device or an interface.

07-31-2014

20140334341

Method and Apparatus for Full Duplex Serial Shifting Mode and Switch Mode Data Transmission - An industrial network with bidirectional communication for real time control includes nodes selectively operable in either a switch mode or a serial shifting mode. Nodes operating in the switch mode are capable of initiating data frames for transmission on the network and receiving data frames from the network. Nodes operating in either the switch mode or the serial shifting mode are capable of extracting and/or inserting data into a data frame as it is transmitted through that node. An initialization procedure determines end nodes and intermediate nodes within the network. The end nodes are configured to initially operate in the switch mode and the intermediate nodes are configured to initially operate in the serial shifting mode. The intermediate nodes are additionally operable to selectively toggle between operation in switch mode and serial shift mode and may operate in both modes during a single scan cycle.